Manual

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 System Board
AlienwareM18xServiceManual
Removing the System Board
Replacing the System Board
Entering the Service Tag in the BIOS
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The system board's BIOS chip contains the Service Tag, which is also visible on a barcode label at the bottom of the computer.
Removing the System Board
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1. Follow the instructions in Before You Begin.
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2. Remove any installed card or blank from the Media-Card Reader.
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3. Remove the battery pack (see Removing the Battery Pack).
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4. Remove the base cover (see Removing the Base Cover).
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5. Remove the hard drive(s) (see Removing the Hard Drive(s)).
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6. Disconnect the coin-cell battery cable from the connector on the system board (see Removing the Coin-Cell Battery).
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7. Disconnect the video-card heat-sink fan(s) cable from the connector on the system board (see Removing the Video-Card Heat-Sink Fan(s)).
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8. Disconnect the processor heat-sink fan cable from the connector on the system board (see Removing the Processor Heat-Sink Fan).
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9. Remove the center control cover (see Removing the Center Control Cover).
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10. Remove the keyboard (see Removing the Keyboard).
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11. Remove the macro keyboard (see Removing the Macro Keyboard).
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12. Remove the display assembly (see Removing the Display Assembly).
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13. Remove the palm-rest assembly (see Removing the Palm Rest).
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14. Remove the Bluetooth card (see Removing the Bluetooth Card).
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15. Remove the memory module(s) (see Removing the Memory Module(s)).
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16. Remove the Mini-Card (see Removing the Mini-Card).
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17. Remove the video-card heat-sink(s) (see Removing the Video-Card Heat- Sink(s)).
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18. Remove the video card(s) (see Removing the Video Card(s)).
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19. Remove the processor heat-sink (see Removing the Processor Heat-Sink).
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20. Remove the processor module (see Removing the Processor Module).
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WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best
practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
CAUTION: To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal
surface (such as a connector on your computer).
CAUTION: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your computer. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is
not covered by your warranty.
CAUTION: To help prevent damage to the system board, remove the main battery (see Removing the Battery Pack) before working inside the
computer.
CAUTION: Handle components by their edges, and avoid touching pins and contacts.